International collaboration: SDPI inks agreement with Saudi think tank

Riyadh-based RASANAH to carry out research on climate change, trade, regional cooperation

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading think tank RASANAH based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to establish and facilitate mutual cooperation in research and advisory initiatives and the exchange of technical and scientific information and expertise.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri and RASANAH, Riyadh Chairman Dr Muhammad S. Alsulami on behalf of their respective organisations signed the MoU on Friday at SDPI in Islamabad. Under the MoU, both organisations agreed to develop joint research projects, conduct studies and exchange technical and scientific research techniques in addition to their published reports and studies.

Pakistan enjoys ‘special place’ in hearts of Saudi regime

Dr Suleri said that focusing and collaborating with a Saudi Think Tank was mainly due to the long-lasting relations between the two nations. He said that both countries have historic, religious and cultural ties. He added that both think tanks i.e. RASANAH and SDPI, can conduct joint research on issues of mutual interest such as climate change, trade, and regional cooperation.

He further stated that Pakistan can learn from Saudi water conservation strategies, as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has turned their deserts into green lands. Pakistan should export skilled human resources to KSA, as KSA is on its way to becoming a service-based economy and they want more IT and computer literate human resources.

Dr Alsulami said that his think tank was a relatively new institute in KSA which was established around three and half years ago. He said that the institute focuses on regional issues with special focus on Iranian affairs and the developments taking place in the south and central Asia. The institute covers issues such as climate change, economy, energy and sustainable development.

He said that RASANAH means depth in Arabic and understanding and reaching out through communications in Persian.  He said that through this sort of collaboration, we wish to further connect with Pakistani people and enhance people to people relations between the two countries.

RASANAH is a Saudi Arabia based independent research and studies institute which specialises in regional affairs. RASANAH was ranked top in Saudi Arabia and 10th in the Middle East and North Africa region and 28th as Best Regional Studies Centre by 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2019.